Sweetwater County Start-Up Challenge Names Two Winners

Two Sweetwater County startup companies won seed funding at IMPACT 307’s Sweetwater County Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night Dec. 6 at Western Wyoming Community College (Western) in Rock Springs. 

The Sweetwater County Start-Up Challenge is a competition for local entrepreneurs that provides valuable mentorship from IMPACT 307, a startup business development program of the University of Wyoming, and local professionals. It is a collaboration between UW’s IMPACT 307 and Western. The startup challenge, which drew 26 initial applicants, is made possible by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce and Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency (URA).

“It is wonderful to see so many people interested in supporting entrepreneurship in our community,” says Monica Patten, assistant director of IMPACT 307. “I’m encouraged about the future of our local economy.”

The two companies that will receive seed funding are:

-- Mr. Joe’s Hot Sauce, founded by Jean Joseph, is a Caribbean-style hot sauce that brings a balance of heat and flavor. For more information, go to www.mrjoehotsauce.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.

-- Black Gold Jelly Co., founded by Jenefer Tynsky, uses locally sourced fruits and vegetables to create healthy syrups and sauces that can be used in baking, slow cooking, smoking, barbecuing or as a salad dressing. For more information, go to www.blackgoldjellycompany.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.

Seed funding amounts, which are not publicly disclosed, will be disbursed to the winning entrepreneurs once they meet specific milestones.

Seed funding was made possible by UW’s Research and Economic Development Division, RSNB Bank, Dominion Energy, Industrial Services Inc., State Bank, Simplot, William H. Smith and Associates, Commerce Bank, All West Communications, First Bank, GRoWYO, and Copier & Supply Co.

Additionally, the Rock Springs URA collected community donations for the seed fund at the following locations: Mack & Co., Wyoming Freight Co., Red White Buffalo, Daily Knead, Coal Train Coffee Depot and Sidekicks Book-Bar.

Remi’s Clubhouse, founded by Debbie Stainbrook, won the three nonmonetary awards decided by audience vote: Audience Choice Award, Job Creator Award and Innovation Award. 

The company is described as “a tail waggin’ good doggy day care.” The business provides inside and outside playtime and rest time for dogs when their owners are away. For more information, go to https://crm.pawfinity.com/remis-clubhouse, or follow the company on Facebook.

Other finalist companies that presented during Pitch Night were:

-- Apilloz, founded by Aaron Lobo, is an adjustable, support, pain and pressure relief pillow. For more information, go to www.apilloz.com, or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.

-- Gainesha, founded by Levi Abrahamson, connects landowners with potential short-term renters, maximizing earning potential and increasing public access to private lands.

-- Purely Persistent, founded by Michelle Schutten, is an online resource providing academic lessons, life skills and motivation for students preparing for high school equivalency tests. For more information, go to https://purelypersistent.gumroad.com, or follow the company on YouTube and Instagram.

Pitch Night judges were John “Ozzie” Hay, vice president of RSNB Bank; Todd Redmon, supervisor of region operations for Dominion Energy; Ryan Brandt, Rock Springs branch manager for State Bank; Taylor Siemers, loan officer for State Bank; and Kathy Tomassi, board co-chair of the Wyoming Business Council.

The following businesses and individuals were recognized with Start-Up Community Minded Awards for going above and beyond in their support:

-- Small Businesses of the Year: Daily Knead and Red White Buffalo.

-- Banks of the Year: State Bank and RSNB Bank.

-- Corporations of the Year: Dominion Energy and Simplot.

-- Small-Medium Enterprise of the Year: Industrial Services Inc.

-- Educator of the Year: Melissa Atkinson, business education teacher, Green River High School.

-- Partners of the Year: Rick Lee, CEO, Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce; and Chad Banks, manager, Rock Springs Main Street/URA.

IMPACT 307 is a statewide network of innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyoming’s entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive.

For more information, call Patten at (307) 466-3963; email monica.patten@uwyo.edu; or go to www.impact307.org.